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Knol, authoritative articles, advertising

Google to go up against Wikipedia



If you had asked me prior to this news who there was in the world that could successfully beat Wikipedia at their own game, there would have been only one answer. With their stated mission to gather all of the world’s information, Google not only have what it takes to beat Wikipedia, but the fan base as well.

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Launched on January the 15th of 2001, Wikipedia has been both a roaring success and a problem filled quagmire. It has continued to grow in size and in spread, covering topics from the Laurentide ice sheet all the way through to DC Comics’ 52 event. But through it all there has been a continuing problem with editing. Graffiti and spamming has arisen, despite the best attempts of the often hard working, and even more often obsessive compulsive nature of the Wikipedia editors. So when Google announced last Thursday that they would be entering in to competition with Wikipedia, I got just a little bit excited. Dubbed ‘knol’, the Google project will allow individuals to write “authoritative articles” on their own areas of expertise. In addition, unlike the entirely free model that Wikipedia has run, Google’s will allow authors to attach advertising to their pages and acquire a share of the revenue. Taken from the word ‘knowledge’, the knols will cover “all topics, from scientific concepts ... to entertainment.” But according to Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, “They are not going to allow collaboration and aren’t going to go for Wikipedia’s neutral style.” Google aren’t going to be nice about this either, from the get-go fostering a rivalry between the two. Authors won’t be able to contribute anonymously, nor will they be able to edit others work; both aspects of Wikipedia which have been highly praised. However instead of finding just one article on say, the World Wars or Babe Ruth, there will be multiple pages allowed, all individually written. And, with the huge success of social networks, Google will allow users to rate the quality of the articles and add “comments, questions, edits, additional content.” "A knol ... is meant to be the first thing someone who searches for this topic for the first time will want to read,” said vice president of engineering Udi Manber. "Our goal is to encourage people who know a particular subject to write an authoritative article about it. There are millions of people who possess useful knowledge that they would love to share, and there are billions of people who can benefit from it." This is going to be one of those internet fights which will be worth watching. With any luck, the competition will drive both to higher states of quality. But in the end, only one will walk away, and at the moment, it’s anyone’s bet who that will be. Joshua Hill, a Geek’s-Geek from Melbourne, Australia, Josh is an aspiring author with dreams of publishing his epic fantasy, currently in the works, sometime in the next 5 years. A techie, nerd, sci-fi nut and bookworm.


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Guest Column Joshua Hill -- Bio and Archives

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